Irrigated Winter Maize - Production Calendar - Seed Co Malawi | Field Crops

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Varieties: Kalulu (SC301) \| Kanyani (SC419)

WEEK	CROP STAGE	KEY ACTIONS	NOTES / FOCUS
–1	Pre-Planting Preparation	• Conduct soil test; correct pH with lime if needed • Select variety based on available winter window length (see variety table) • Plan irrigation source & schedule (drip, furrow, sprinkler) • Prepare seedbed: plough or rip, and apply basal fertilizer (23:21:0+4S or equivalent) • Source certified Seed Co seed: Kalulu, Kanyani, Mbidzi or Mkango • Optional: pre-plant soil ameliorants (humic/fulvic acids, Zn, B micronutrients)	Good land prep = fast germination. Target fine, moist seedbed.
0	Planting (Day 1)	• Planting dates: May–June (Malawi winter window) • Seed rate: 10 kg/acre (all Seed Co maize varieties) • Spacing: 75 cm × 25 cm (1 plant/station) or 90 cm × 20 cm • Plant seed 3–5 cm deep into moist soil • Apply basal fertilizer in furrow at planting if not done earlier • Irrigate immediately after planting (25–30 mm)	*Keep soil surface moist for 7–10 days to ensure uniform germination.*
1–2	Germination & Emergence	• Target: 90%+ germination by day 7 • Gap-fill any patches where germination failed (within 5 days of emergence) • Apply pre-emergent herbicide before crop emergence • Continue irrigation: 20–25 mm every 5–7 days • Scout for cutworms and stem borers from day 5	Uniform stand = uniform harvest. Fix gaps early.
2–3	Seedling Stage (V2–V4)	• Apply post-emergent herbicide (day 14–21) targeting broadleaf & grass weeds • Top-dress with CAN or Urea: 50 kg/acre (first top-dressing) • Irrigation: 20–25 mm every 5–7 days • Scout for Fall Army Worm (FAW): check whorls of 10% of plants • Apply FAW spray (emamectin, spinetoram, or chlorantraniliprole) if >10% infestation	*Early weed control critical — weeds compete heavily at V2–V4.*
4–5	Active Vegetative Growth (V5–V8)	• Continue FAW and stalk borer scouting weekly • Second top-dressing with CAN/Urea: 50 kg/acre at V6 stage • Increase irrigation: 25–30 mm every 5–6 days • Apply foliar micronutrients (Zn, B, Mn) if deficiency signs visible • Maintain weed-free field through inter-row cultivation if needed	Maximum vegetative growth drives future cob size.
6–7	Tasselling (VT)	• Monitor irrigation closely — tassel stage is highly water-sensitive • Irrigation: 30–35 mm per week (increase frequency if hot and dry) • Scout intensively for stalk borers, aphids, and army worms • Apply insecticide if pest threshold exceeded • Avoid any nitrogen top-dressing at this stage	*⚠ Water stress during tasselling severely reduces yield. Keep soil moist.*
7–8	Silking & Pollination (R1)	• Silk emergence: hand-check for silk cut by insects • Irrigation: 30–35 mm/week — DO NOT allow water stress • Scout for aphids on silks and ears • Spray only when necessary; avoid broad-spectrum insecticide during pollination • Check that all plants produce silks (sign of good crop health)	*Pollination window: 5–8 days. Water stress now = poorly filled cobs.*
8–11	Grain / Cob Fill (R2–R4)	• Irrigation: maintain 30–36 mm/week; do not reduce • Scout for ear rots (Fusarium, Diplodia) — remove infected ears • Apply foliar feed (high-K formulation) to support cob fill • Scout for late-season aphids and armyworms • Monitor plant health — yellowing of lower leaves is normal; mid-canopy yellowing = N deficiency	Water drives grain fill — every mm of water stress = yield loss.
11–14	Dough & Denting Stage (R4–R5)	• Reduce irrigation gradually as husks dry down • Monitor for ear and stalk rots • Begin harvest planning: organise shellers, storage, and transport • Scout for stalk lodging — harvest early if >5% lodging	Grain is past the green mealie stage. Prepare for dry harvest.
14–18	Physiological Maturity & Harvest (R6)	• Black layer formation indicates physiological maturity • Grain moisture at harvest: 20–25% (for immediate use); 12–14% (for storage) • Stop irrigation 2 weeks before harvest • Harvest promptly to avoid post-harvest losses (mould, insect damage) • Dry grain to <12.5% moisture before bagging and storing • Use hermetic bags or grain protectants (e.g., Actellic Super) in storage	*Timely harvest = quality grain. Delayed harvest risks ear mould.*

Seed Co Malawi Maize Variety Guide: Kalulu SC301 (80 days) \| Kanyani SC419/SC449 (90 days) \| Mbidzi SC555 (115 days) \| Mkango SC665/SC657 (128 days). This calendar provides general guidance for irrigated winter maize in Malawi. Adjust timing to your specific variety maturity. Contact a Seed Co agronomist for local advice. Toll Free: 2027.